Supermarine Type 553
{{short description|British supersonic fighter aircraft project}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
|name=Supermarine Type 553 |image= Supermarine_Type_553.jpg }}{{Infobox aircraft type |type= Supersonic research aircraft |manufacturer=Supermarine |designer= |status= abandoned |number built= 0 |developed from= |developed into= }} |
The Supermarine Type 553 was a British Mach 2 research aircraft project from 1953 that never proceeded beyond the initial proposal.
Design and development
The difficulty of achieving Mach 2 flight was realised during the development of the 545, which led to Vickers-Supermarine proposing the 553 with a swept wing that would reduce aerodynamic drag. It was to have been built using aluminium alloy which limited the top speed, and the Air Ministry wanted a twin engine design in which alternative engines could readily be installed, and 553 development was abandoned. Lack of endurance was also cited as a problem. The Bristol 188 was developed instead.
Specifications (Supermarine Type 553)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Buttler, 2000, p.77 & 79Buttler, 2000, pp.77 & 79
|prime units?=imp
|crew=One
|length ft=58.0|span ft=30.8|wing area sqft=330
|empty weight lb=|gross weight lb=27000
|fuel capacity={{cvt|780|impgal|l usgal|0}}
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Rolls-Royce RB.106R
|eng1 type=jet engine
|eng1 lbf=15000
|eng1 lbf-ab=22600
|max speed mph=1523
|max speed note=or Mach 2.3, @ 36,100 feet, Mach 1.22 at sea level.
|endurance=
|ceiling ft=
|climb rate ftmin=53000
|climb rate note=initial
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=81.8
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=0.56 to 0.84 (w. afterburner/reheat)
|more performance=
|armament=None
}}
See also
References
=Citations=
{{Reflist|2}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book|last=Buttler|first=Tony|title=British Secret Projects: Jet Fighters Since 1950|year=2000|publisher=Midland|location=Leicester, England|isbn=978-1857800951|pages=77 & 79}}
{{Supermarine aircraft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Supermarine Type 553}}
Category:1950s British experimental aircraft
Category:Single-engined jet aircraft
Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear
Category:Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United Kingdom